Fastening means



Jan. 13, 1970 P. J. coRMlER 3,488,814

FASTENING MEANS Filed Aug. 4, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet l 55 F/E. 5 F/E. 3

Jan. 13, 1970 p com ER 3,488,814

FASTENING MEANS Filed Aug. 4, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F/EE United States Patent O 3,488,814 FASTENING MEANS Paul J. Cormier, 1 Josselyn Place, Newton Highlands, Mass. 02161 Filed Aug. 4, 1967, Ser. No. 658,521 Int. Cl. A441). 11/24; B42f 1/04 U.S. Cl. 24-178 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A plurality of belt buckle constructions have been known for ages and often depend upon a pivot pin tongue locking means for fastening. Such pivot pin locking means can detract from the appearance of a buckle construction. Other buckle constructions depend upon friction locking of a belt tongue between opposing edges. Such friction locking means normally provide for mounting of ornamentation and solid fastening of the buckle but often cause unnecessary wear on the belts with which they are used.

Many fastening means of the clamping type have also been known for many, many years. However, there has been some difiiculty in producing extremely inexpensive fastening means which permit fastening and clamping action on different size stacks of sheets or other materials in a single clamp construction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention, a belt buckle construction has a clasp body and an elongated receiver pin member, the clasp body defining a forward transversely extending retainer pin receiver which in turn defines in part a transverse tongue receiving opening. Means are provided for mounting a pin in a first position engaging the pin re ceiver to hold a belt tongue (shown in dotted outline) and a second position to release the belt tongue and disengage the pin from the receiver whereby the belt tongue can be freely passed through the opening in the second position. The buckle construction is relatively inexpensive yet can be made extremely durable while providing for positive retention of a belt having holes therein.

In another embodiment, a fastening means is provided having a flat strip with overturned first and second ends defining sheet receiving and clamping edges. An elongated backer member extends from the edges to define therewith first and second clamping means substantially at the ends of the backer member underlying the edges. Means are preferably provided for supporting the backer member in operative position so that when one of the clamping means is spread apart in clamping position, resilient force acting through the other clamping means strengthens the clamping action. Preferably the first and second clamping means are of different sizes to permit versatility of the clamping means in a variety of uses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the fol lowing specification when read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a preferred embodiment of a buckle construction in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view thereof taken through line 2-2;

FIG. 3 is a front plan view of an alternate embodiment thereof;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken through line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are side cross sectional views through the center of other alternate embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a clamp fastener means in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a side view thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference now to the drawings and more particularly FIGS. 1 and 2, the preferred embodiment of the belt buckle is illustrated generally at 10 and comprises a clasp body 11 and a movable receiver pin assembly 12. The buckle 10 is adapted to receive the fixed end 20 and the tongue end 21 of a conventional belt carrying a plurality of pin receiving holes 22.

The clasp body 11 has a rear wall 13 adapted to lie against the waist of a user with upstanding top and bottom walls 14 and 15 respectively. Between walls 14 and 15 extend transverse members 16, 17 and 18 which are fixed in position. A dual wing-shaped strut member 19 also extends between the top and the bottom walls 14 and 15, with enlarged wing sides 22 and 23 and with a central bar portion 24 which acts as a retainer pin receiver, as will be described. The transverse member or strut 18 preferably has a cutout portion 25 below it and a cutout portion 26 on the front of the belt buckle to allow the end of a belt such as 20 to be afiixed to the buckle construction, as shown in FIG. 2. A tongue receiving opening 27 is provided on the free end of the buckle to receive the tongue 21 in the position shown in FIG. 2.

The top and bottom walls 14 and 15 have inverted U-shaped cutouts 28 aligned with each other and located one above the other when the belt is positioned on the waist of a user. A transverse sliding bar 29 extends through either side wall of the belt as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and has enlarged disc-shaped ends 30 and 31 to prevent the bar from shifting in its side to side position within the belt construction in use. A belt tongue receiver pin 33 is fixed to rod 29 at the center thereof. In the position of the assembly 12 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pin end 34 rests on the retainer pin receiver bar 24. Preferably a transverse rod 35 is provided extending from wall 14 to wall 15 of the belt buckle. The receiver pin 33 is suitably notched and located with the notch engaging rod 35 in the locked position of the buckle shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Preferably the entire construction of the belt buckle 10 is of metal although wood or other rigid materials can be used.

In use of the belt buckle construction of the preferred embodiment, the assembly 12 is moved to its free position by grasping the finger discs 30 and 31 moving them upwardly and in the direction of the arrows shown at 37 whereby the receiver pin end 34 and the pin shaft no longer block the tongue receiving opening 27. The belt tongue 21 is then passed through the tongue receiving opening 27 and over the forward portion of the buckle as best shown in FIG. 2. The assembly 12 is then moved back to the position shown in FIG. 2 with the pin 33 passing through a selected hole 22 in the belt. Since the belt is normally tight on the wearer, pressures on the 3 belt tend to pull the pin 33 toward the receiver 24 and rod 35 and lock the belt in fixed position within the buckle.

On the belt tongue receiver pin 33 there is a metal peg extending through the tongue receiver pin as shown in FIG. 1 and numbered 38 to prevent the strap, or the like, from slipping back on the tongue receiver pin and therefore securing a tight lock or hold through a selected hole 22 in the belt.

Turning now to the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, the basic construction utilized in the preferred embodiment is again used and similar principles are employed in the belt buckle 40. The clasp body 41 is generally similar ,to body 11 but does not include transverse members -16 and 17. The top and bottom walls 42 and 43 are provided with corresponding cutouts or guideways shown at 44 one of which is shown in wall 42 with an elongated continuation behind a second downwardly extending notch 45 of each guideway. A front notch 46 is also provided. Pin 33 is not notched to receive a cross rod 35 as in the first embodiment; but, it is fixed to both a cross rod 29 and a cross rod 47 which are both slidable in the guideways provided by walls 42 and 43 and extend therethrough. In this embodiment, the pin assembly can be moved to its free position from the locking position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 by grasping the finger discs 30 and 31 as in the previous embodiment and moving in the direction shown by arrow 48 until the end of the pin 33 leaves the tongue opening 27a unobstructed. The belt is then passed through the opening and pin assembly again moved to the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 to lock the belt in position. The tongue passes over a front side of the buckle assembly as in previous embodiments although no cross strut 16 need be provided. The use of two transvere rods rigidly connected to pin 33 adds to rigidity of the pin in use and may provide better alignment of the pin in some applications as with wide belts and the like.

In the belt buckle embodiment 50 shown in FIG. 5, top and bottom walls 51, which are identical, each define a set of guideways 52 and 53 respectively into which the cross members 54 and 29 respectively slide. The guideways are preferably L-shaped with the tail of the L facing inwardly toward the body of the user. Cross bars 29 and 54 are rigidly joined to the pin 33 and can be slide in the direction of arrows 55 and 56 to the free position of the buckle, allowing entrance or removal of the tongue end 21.

The embodiment of FIG. 6 is generally similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 except that the transverse bar 47, rather than being rigidly joinned to the pin 33, is rigidly joined to the top and bottom walls 61, which are identical, In addition, the buckle body 60 has a guideway 62 which permits the transverse rod 29 to slide to a free position, as shown, or to its locked position, resting substantially in the notches 63 in the top and bottom walls 61. The pin 33 slides during movement of the assembly through a receiver pin bore 64 provided in the fixed transverse rod 47. Preferably, as in the other embodiments, a transverse aperture or slot 65 is provided through which the fixed end of the belt can be threaded and wrapped about the cross bar 18. The belt end 22 can be attached to the pin bar 29 if desired in this embodiment, as in the other embodiments, instead of being attached to strut member 18.

Inside the receiver pin bore 64 provided in the fixed transverse rod 47 there is a spring permanently centered in the bore 64. As the pin 33 is forwarded into its selected hole on the strap 22 the peg 38 on pins 33 depresses the spring forming a spring return bias when the transverse rod is interlocked in forward notch 63 by moving the finger discs. Metal washers (not shown) are placed preferably between finger discs and buckle walls where the transverse rod extends slightly outward. On all the buckles described herein, .a metal peg may be provided 4 crossing through the tongue pin 33 and in each drawing, FIGS. 1 through 6, the finger discs 30 and 31 will also function as safety locks in either front carriage position when in use, or back carriage position when not used.

While several embodiments of the belt buckle of this invention have been described, it should be understood that many variations are possible. For example, the specific shape of the buckle can vary greatly as can the number and arrangement of transverse struts to support the top and bottom walls. In some embodiments, the forward end may be a flat wall having suitable notches for passage of the tongue end. The rear wall 13, can be made of struts rather than a solid sheet. While tabs 22 and 23 are preferred to space the belt from the bar 24, in some embodiments they can be eliminated. While metal is preferred for all materials of the belt buckle, other materials can be used. Ornamentation can be provided if desired. Specific sizes and dimensions can vary depending upon the width and thickness of conventional belt, such as a leather belt to be used with the buckle construction. In all cases, it is preferred that the pin move substantially entirely out of the passageway provided in the body for the tongue in a substantially linear movement rather than a conventional pivoting action.

Turning now to the clamp fastener means of the present invention, a clamp fastener 70 is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 comprising a fiat strip 71 preferably composed of a spring metal having overturned ends 72 and 73 defining transverse edges 74 and 75 respectively which extend from side to side to define end clamping means. A rigid strip or backer, as of a metal plate 76, is held in engagement with edges 74 and 75 preferably by a centrally located block 77 which is preferably joined to the flat central portion of the clamp at 78.

Preferably the bent over end 72 is larger than the end 73 both in width, i.e., side to side dimension and in its radius of curvature so that two different size clamps are provided at either end of the clamp fastener means 70. This is accomplished by forming the body strip with a wide end tapering to a narrow end before forming the curved portions. The end portions 79 and of the flat strip 76 act in conjunction with the edges 74 and 75 to clamp single or stacks of sheets of paper or other materials therebetween in use. A user can select either end of the clamp depending upon the size clamp needed for a particular application. In some applications, both end clamping means can be simultaneously used.

If for example, only clamping means at the end adjacent edge 74 is to be used, the left-hand end of strip 76 is depressed toward the flat bottom section of the clamp allowing positioning of materials to be clamped beneath the edge 74 and above the strip 76. The resilient action of the spring through the bent over edge 75 acts to urge the end 80 toward the edge 74 and enhance clamping action. When the second clamping means at the righthand end of the clamp fastening 70 is used, the reverse is true, that is, edge 74 acts to resiliently enhance clamping action at edge 75. The enhancement of clamping action is due to the fact that the block 77 acts as a fulcrum to provide a seesaw-like action to strip 76.

While a specific embodiment of a clamp fastening means 70 has been shown, it should be underst od that many variations thereof are possible. In all cases, it is preferred that an edge, although not necessarily a continuous edge as in the preferred embodiment, be in direct engagement at either of the end portions 79 and 80 of the strip 76. While it is preferred that member 71 be of a spring metal, it can be rigid and member 76 made of a resilient spring member. The block 77 can have a fiat top surface preferably angled as shown, although in some cases, the top surface can be arcuate to enhance the pivoting action of the strip 76. The block can be affixed to either or both of the hacker 76 or body strip 71. The specific size and configuration of various elements can vary greatly depending upon particular application and design considerations.

What is claimed is:

1. A buckle construction comprising,

a clasp body and an elongated receiver pin slidably mounted in said body,

said clasp body defining a forward transversely extend ing retainer pin receiver and a transverse belt tongue receiving opening,

said receiver pin defining a forward pin end and a rear pin end,

said rear pin end being mounted on a transverse cross rod for movement with said cross rod to selectively mount said pin in a first position with said forward pin end engaging said pin receiver to hold a belt tongue and in a second position to release said belt tongue and retract and disengage said pin end from said receiver whereby said belt tongue can be freely passed through said opening.

said clasp body defining opposed elongated guideways having opposed downwardly extending notches for retaining said transverse cross rod and receiver pin in said first position.

said receiver pin defining a notch,

a second transverse cross rod mounted in said clasp body,

said retainer pin notch being positioned to engage and be held by said second transverse cross rod when said retainer pin is in said first position.

2. A buckle construction in accordance with claim 1 and further comprising a transverse peg mounted in and extending through said pin for limiting movement of said belt tongue on said pin when said pin is in said first position.

3. A buckle construction comprising,

a clasp body and an elongated receiver pin slidably mounted in said body,

said clasp body defining a forward transversely extending retainer pin receiver and a transverse belt tongue receiving opening,

said receiver pin defining a forward pin end and a rear pin end,

said rear pin end being mounted on a transverse cross rod for movement with said cross rod to selectively mount said pin in a first position with said forward pin end engaging said pin receiver to hold a belt tongue and in a second position to release said belt tongue and retract and disengage said pin end from said receiver whereby said belt tongue can be freely passed through said opening,

said clasp body defining opposed elongated guideways having opposed downwardly extending notches for retaining said transverse cross rod and receiver pin in said first position,

and a second cross rod parallel to said first-mentioned transverse cross rod for engaging a notch provided in said clasp body.

4. A buckle construction comprising,

a clasp body and an elongated receiver pin slidably mounted in said body,

said clasp body defining a forward transversely extending retainer pin receiver and a transverse belt tongue receiving opening,

said receiver pin defining a forward pin end and a rear pin end,

said rear pin end being mounted on a transverse cross rod for movement with said cross rod to selectively mount said pin in a first position with said forward pin end engaging said pin receiver to hold a belt tongue and in a second position to release said belt tongue and retract and disengage said pin end from said receiver whereby said belt tongue can be freely passed through said opening,

said clasp body defining opposed elongated guideways having opposed downwardly extending notches for retaining said transverse cross rod and receiver pin in said first position,

and second means apart from said guideways for retaining said receiver pin in said first position,

said second means comprises a spring means,

said spring means acting to limit movement of said pin in said first position and resiliently bias said pin toward said second position when said pin is locked in said first position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 89,057 4/1869 Luther 24-178 1,138,540 5/1915 Chary 24-190 1,439,138 12/1922 White.

1,504,416 8/ 1924 Baude. 1,527,741 2/1925 MCLoughlin. 3,001,256 9/1961 Laviano 24-178 FOREIGN PATENTS 585,705 12/1924 France.

13,775 1915 Great Britain.

DONALD A. GRIFFIN, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

